Facebook inching closer into music playback?

The gossip-laden New York Post has reported a juicy bit of news that, for now, has to be considered a rumor: Facebook honcho Mark Zuckerberg is close to taking his upstart phenomenon into the uncharted digital-music waters.

Facebook has been incrementally increasing its music presence lately, debuting Facebook Pages just last year for bands and organizations alike. Rumors are intensifying that Facebook will partner with another digital music provider to compete with the MySpace juggernaut, among others. Wired says that out of possible music partners (like Rhapsody and Lala), Facebook is most likely to collaborate with iMeem, because the site already has licensing for the music it streams.

The specifics of the plan are unknown, but the NY Post says the brains behind Facebook know what they don't want, and that's to model themselves after the recently launched MySpace Music, which struck a deal with the four major record companies in exchange for equity in MySpace.

Whatever the case, Facebook Music may actually be nothing more than a rumor. "Insiders familiar with the talks further cautioned that nothing is imminent, and Facebook may ultimately walk away from the plan altogether," the NY Post said.

Related links:
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News: iTunes rival MySpace Music launches, indie labels miffed

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